Fozzie is the man for the job, says Mo’unga after week of turmoil
All Blacks No10 Richie Mo’unga has offered a strong endorsement of coach Ian Foster after a week of soul-searching and sackings within the camp.
The All Blacks are in Wellington preparing for a daunting trip to South Africa on the back of a 2-1 series loss to Ireland that turned up the pressure on Foster.
Assistant coaches John Plumtree and Brad Mooar have already lost their jobs, but Mo’unga was adamant that Foster should stay, particularly as tweaks to his role would allow him to spend more time with struggling backline.
‘‘Fozzie is the man for the job,’’ Mo’unga said yesterday. ‘‘I 100% back Fozzie, because of his coaching ability.
‘‘I think now he’ll have a more hands-on role with the backs and with attack.
‘‘I’ve had a taste early on in my All Blacks career, and was able to gain so much knowledge.
‘‘It’s good to see that happen again in the last couple of days and the direction that things are going is really exciting.’’ Mooar’s exit means Foster is effectively the backs/attack coach, although there will be significant input from Joe Schmidt in his role as selector, analyst and attack strategist. Schmidt’s big-picture portfolio could see some changes made to the All Blacks’ attacking structure, after Ireland’s ‘diamond’ pattern with ball in hand made the All Blacks look one-dimensional by comparison. However, with Schmidt not travelling to South Africa when the All Blacks depart on Friday, Foster will be in charge of delivering whatever changes they decide upon.
Mo’unga also said that the players had to shoulder some blame for the historic series loss to Ireland, admitting the subsequent reviews had been ‘‘really honest’’.
‘‘[We’re under] no illusions that it wasn’t good enough against Ireland,’’ Mo’unga said.
‘‘But we’re looking forward to the opportunity to right a few wrongs and to be better, because we know we’re capable. We need to make a statement about who we are as All Blacks and the standard that comes with that.’’
In discussing the sacking of Plumtree and Mooar, Foster said on Sky Sport’s Breakdown on Sunday that player input had been a factor, but Mo’unga said the senior players were as equally honest about their own shortcomings.
The All Blacks face the Springboks at Mbombela Stadium on August 7, and again at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg one week later. FORWARDSMOVEPAGE 22*